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Doors - it's what's inside that counts!

When it comes to door cores (the material that is contained within your doors), it’s easy to think ‘out of sight, out of mind’. However, the reality is that what is contained within your doors can make a huge difference to the acoustics in your home, as well as contributing to the overall durability and life expectancy of your door as a whole. If you’re unsure about the different options available and how they relate to your home and lifestyle, then bear in mind these considerations. 

Cost

Standard or hollow core doors are the most popular choice in many homes, as they have the benefit of not only being light and easy to move, but also more cost-effective than alternatives.

At only 35mm or 40mm thick, the core itself is often a multi-cell or spacer pad which contributes to the lightweight nature of the door. Due to their lower price, they are a great option for a quick update around the home, as numerous doors can be replaced to refresh your interior without a significant financial investment.

Acoustics

Although hollow core doors are a great solution for a quick and effective refurbishment, a downfall is that they don’t always provide the best sound insulation. For this reason, it’s worth thinking about the intended use of the room before you select a door, ensuring that it will meet your requirements from the offset.

For example, is the room a home office where privacy is needed or a noisy laundry room? If so, it might be worth choosing a door with a middle or heavy weight core to keep sound at bay.

Doors with middle weight cores have on average an extra 2kg added to the overall weight of a 35mm or 40mm door, which can go a long way in reducing noise in adjacent rooms.

A solid or heavy weight core which can weigh up to 45kg can however offer optimum acoustic performance, which will not only benefit you and those you share your home with, but may also provide an additional selling point if you ever decide to put your house on the market.

Durability 

If your household has a low number of occupants and minimal through traffic then you may wish to consider a standard or hollow-core door. Although this type of door won’t provide you with the highest levels of durability, it is suitable for most applications.

However, a solid or heavy weight door core will deliver the greatest protection against damage and impact, reducing the need for any ongoing maintenance. A solid door also offers a general feeling of sturdiness and quality along with a more secure and satisfying clunk and click on closure.

When combined with a high-quality timber such as white oak or real wood veneer, heavyweight doors can also create a high-end and more luxurious finish. 

Aesthetics

The good news is that no matter which door core you choose for your home, there are a wide selection of designs to choose from. This means that whether you opt for a hollow core door in one room or a solid door in another, you don’t need to compromise on style.

Many ranges also offer synergy across different door types, which enables you to fit doors with an identical appearance throughout your whole home.